On a trip to Italy's Eternal City, with its ongoing display of sights, endless culinary choices, and historically rich culture at every turn, it helps to heed the advice of both the locals and those who have come before.
I'm in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, fondling a giant foot. I linger over each toe, slowly working my way back toward the heel, as my friend snaps a few photos. The weird thing is, nobody seems to care.
The massive appendage belongs to Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, the ancient Roman emperor better known as Constantine the Great. It's constructed of marble, a remnant of a colossus acrolithic sculpture dating to about A.D. 300 that is now housed at the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the main buildings belonging to the Capitoline Museums located atop one of Rome's most scenic vistas.
The fact that I can interact so intimately with such a historic antique has me both excited and a little terrified. In the United States, an artifact like this would be protected by a series of high-tech lasers or, at least, cordoned off with ropes and guards to defend it from handsy tourists. So as I'm embracing the enormous foot, I keep expecting to be swarmed by polizia.
It was this seemingly innocuous encounter that helped shape my first impression of Rome, a testament to how shockingly open, welcoming and exposed it all is. Which, frankly, when added to the fact that there are as many things to see and do as there are flavors of the world-famous gelato, can make a visit to Rome more than a bit overwhelming for even the most seasoned traveler. I only wish I knew then, on my first trip to the Italian capital, what I know now, which is that when it comes to a destination such as Rome, it pays to have the inside scoop, so you can experience the city through the eyes of a local or someone who's been there, done that. For that very reason, we polled a handful of pros who know the real Rome—from the main attractions to the hidden treasures—so that you can share in their insights. Here's what they had to say.
General Manager, The Inn at the Roman Forum
"Rome is full of history everywhere you look," says Gaetano Lauro. And he should know; his hotel is the only one in town that actually has its own ancient ruins (in the form of a 2,000-year-old stone passageway called a cryptoporticus). "To get the most out of your trip, be prepared before you arrive. Read some of the ancient history of the city, as it will help you to understand what you are about to explore. That way you can actually feel the ancient monuments as a part of daily life and not only as a tourist attraction."
Top spots: "Of course, you should see the main tourist attractions that make Rome one of the most visited cities in Europe, such as the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. And nobody goes to Rome without visiting the Colosseum and Vatican museums. Other popular excursions include visits to Pompeii, Capri, the villas of Tivoli and Ostia Antica, which are often best organized by tour operators. Also walk along the river and over to the Trastevere area for a nice dinner. It's one of the most wonderful parts of Rome."
Off the beaten path: "It's not easy to find a spot in the center of Rome where there aren't many tourists around, but there are some places. Take a bus to Janiculum Hill, one of the best spots in the city for views of Rome's numerous domes and bell towers. Another nice place is the Baths of Caracalla, an ancient bathing complex. The baths were enormous, with large frescoed vaults covering the rooms. It's a famous place but still not visited by many tourists."
The price is right: "From its baroque palaces and museums to its piazzas and fountains, you can explore a big part of the city without paying any entrance fee."
Team Leader, Andrew Harper Travel Office
"When I think about Rome, the first word that springs to mind is 'dramatic,'" says Rob Frisch, who has made frequent trips to the Eternal City. "Wide avenues open onto huge monuments like the Colosseum and St. Peter's, highlighting the past glories of the city. These traffic-filled arteries give way to intimate lanes and elegant squares, often punctuated by fountains or obelisks."
Distinguishing factor: "The juxtaposition of huge Roman ruins and contemporary urban fabric never ceases to amaze. There's nothing like it in Italy."
Best bets: "I recommend devoting a day to ancient Rome, visiting the Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline Museums, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The Vatican requires another day, with the museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. If time permits, there are other baroque sights nearby that help complete the picture of ecclesiastical Rome. I also recommend taking a day to do some shopping near the Spanish Steps and visiting the Borghese Gallery, a stunning collection of art. The National Etruscan Museum in the Villa Giulia is often overlooked, but it houses a spectacular and unique collection of Etruscan sculpture and other artifacts."
Must-have souvenirs: "It's fun to send postcards from the Vatican, which has its own postal system and stamps. There are a lot of great fashion boutiques for both men and women. Italian clothing is always fun to shop for."
Food for thought: "Romans love to dine out, and it's easy to find relatively untouristy places throughout the city. And the cuisine is well-priced, especially compared to Venice and Florence."
Music to our ears: "Gregory's, on the Via Gregoriana near the Hassler Roma hotel, is a wonderful live jazz club with an extensive single-malt selection."
Crowd control: "It sounds crazy, but if you go in high season, skip the Vatican museums unless you buy a (very expensive) pass to avoid the huge line. Even if you have the pass, it can be insufferably crowded in the museums and the Sistine Chapel. It's a major sight, but it's not fun to visit in high season. If you must go, go as early in the morning as you can, or go at lunchtime to avoid the worst crowds."
Parting words: "Stay a little longer than you think you need to. The city is chock-full of incredible sights, and it's hard to see even the best of the best in just two or three days."
Assistant Director of Sales & Marketing, Hotel Eden
When asked about his stomping ground, Paolo Polidori raves about the history, the culture, the traditions, the people, the food, the atmosphere, even the colors of the buildings. "Just walk in the city center," he advises. "Rome is an open-space museum. Enjoy the atmosphere, the shops, the bars and gelaterie. Look at the beautiful buildings and churches."
Perfect timing: "The majority of people comes in spring and fall because of the weather. I prefer quieter months such as November and December. Sometimes it can be rainy, but the city isn't as crowded and you don't have to queue everywhere."
Biggest surprise: "How green the city is!"
What to take home: "Try to buy the coffee at the Sant'Eustachio bar in the Piazza Sant'Eustachioa."
Off the beaten path: "My favorite place that is not touristy is the Ponte Milvio area. The Piazzale di Ponte Milvio is full of bars, restaurants and open-air kiosks where, in summer, you can taste the real grattachecca (mint or lemon water-ice). The Ponte Milvio is one of the oldest bridges in Rome. If you really love someone, you must go to that bridge, write your name and the name of your girlfriend/boyfriend on a padlock, and leave it on one of the streetlamps on the bridge."
Words of wisdom: "There are many must-see places, like the Catacombs and Castel Sant'Angelo, but my suggestion is to experience the city as Romans do and try to taste the atmosphere and essence of the city."
PR and Communications Manager, Rocco Forte Collection
Employed in the press office of the Rocco Forte hotel group, Benedetta Borghese not only lives and works in Rome, but also is well-tuned to the tourism scene there. "It is simply the most incredible city in the world," she says fondly. "It is the unforgettable trip of one's life."
Ideal itinerary: "The Vatican museums, Colosseum and Via dei Fori Imperiali are musts. Also, Rome underground, a series of layers, made of debris, buildings, temples, shrines, etc., one on top of the other, due to changes and developments that happened during the past 3,000 years. Shopping is, of course, also part of the journey. Italian style is renowned all over the world."
Building a new future: "Rome is more than Roman ruins and baroque churches. It is also becoming a central destination for contemporary art, thanks to the international architects used to realize important projects in the city, like the MAXXI Museum by Zaha Hadid, the MACRO by Odile Decq, the Auditorium by Renzo Piano and the Congress Centre by Massimiliano Fuksas."
Take-home treasures: "A caricature done at Piazza Navona. A souvenir from the Vatican City, like Pietà by Michelangelo."
Travel Consultant, Andrew Harper Travel Office
"The thing that distinguishes Rome from other Italian cities is how majestic it is," says Teresa Lach, a veteran travel planner. "Many cities can be described as beautiful, fine, palatial, elegant and stunning. Rome is all that, but above all else, the city is simply majestic."
Picture-perfect: "For those who enjoy art, the beautiful galleries and museums are a must. The Borghese Gallery is a fine example. After visiting the gallery, enjoy a picnic in the Villa Borghese. Another must is a trip to the American Academy to not only visit the residents and scholars, but the stunning buildings within the academy and some of the fine artworks."
On the go: "Exploring Rome on a Vespa is becoming more and more popular, as is exploring the city by Segway."
Role-playing: "Families often enjoy heading to gladiator school and donning their capes and swords and remembering Rome in the day of the gladiators. Would-be cooks head to the kitchens of restaurants, hotels and locals alike to pick up some centuries-old recipes they can make at home."
On the outskirts: "For those heading out of Rome, they may head toward the pope's summer residence and enjoy exploring the Castelli Romani area of Lazio. The Bracciano Lake region is a favorite summer place for many Romans looking to escape the summer."
Right place, wrong time: "During the month of August, you'll find that lots of Romans have evacuated the city and headed to the beach, and some shops, restaurants and bars may be closed. So this might be a good time to avoid the city."
Closing comment: "Take away an experience. Have something to brag about when you get home to your friends, i.e., time with a local learning about how they live, their family, their work, their life in Rome."
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